And just like that, a new Premier League season is ready to go.
England's top flight unveiled its complete fixture list for the 2021-22 campaign Wednesday, with some high-profile matchups offering plenty of intrigue in the early weeks of the season.
Reigning champions Manchester City open the new year away to Tottenham Hotspur. City have been heavily linked with a move for Spurs star Harry Kane, creating the possibility that the English striker could begin the season against his former team if the transfer happens.
Pep Guardiola's side will also meet Arsenal, Leicester City, Chelsea, and Liverpool within the first two months of the season.
Manchester United, meanwhile, appear to have a more favorable early-season calendar and kick things off against Leeds United at home.
Elsewhere on the opening weekend, Premier League debutants Brentford host a London derby against Arsenal, while Championship winners Norwich City welcome Liverpool to Carrow Road.
With coronavirus restrictions slowly being lifted in England, the Premier League is hopeful that large crowds will be allowed to attend matches this coming season; Wembley will have at least 40,000 spectators for the semifinals and finals of Euro 2020 this summer.
Teams will get one week off in January to account for a new international break that FIFA created, designed to help clear the backlog of World Cup qualifiers outside Europe. After the weekend slate on Jan. 22, there are no matches until Feb. 8.
The new season opens on Aug. 14 and is scheduled to end on May 22.
Opening weekend schedule
All matches currently slated for 10:00 a.m. ET
- Brentford vs. Arsenal
- Burnley vs. Brighton
- Chelsea vs. Crystal Palace
- Everton vs. Southampton
- Leicester vs. Wolves
- Manchester United vs. Leeds
- Newcastle vs. West Ham
- Norwich vs. Liverpool
- Tottenham vs. Manchester City
- Watford vs. Aston Villa
